Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Association to host annual banquet

The Rock Candy Band at a recent event. The band will perform at the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Alumni Association annual banquet in May.

The Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Alumni Association will host its annual banquet in early May to raise money for the rehabilitation centers that take care of visually-impaired veterans.

The banquet will be May 4 at the Doubletree by Hilton, located at 8 Perimeter Park S. Dinner will begin at 5 p.m., and guests can choose between $35 chicken or $45 tenderloin.

Mike Pistacchio with the association said the banquet helps raise money to purchase equipment veterans in the in-patient programs don’t receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as other costs associated with attending the centers.

Pistacchio, who is legally blind, went to a similar center in Washington and said staff members train veterans in how to move around with a cane, how to have a comfortable living environment, how to cook and how to use a computer to keep in touch with family.

The money also helps pay for transportation costs to the center, which are not covered by the VA, Pistacchio said.

At the banquet, guests will enjoy door prizes, a cash bar, a silent auction and gift baskets, which will be for sale. The Rock Candy Band will also perform, bringing live entertainment to the event.

“Believe it or not, blind guys can dance,” Pistacchio said.

The banquet follows the 2019 Charley Boswell golf tournament May 2, which will be at the Oxmoor Valley course of the Robert Trent Jones golf trail. Play begins at 8 a.m., with a cost of $500 for three golfers playing with a blind veteran, or $170 for a single player. The package includes green fees, a golf cart, beverage cart, a light breakfast and buffet lunch.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the tournament or banquet, visitsbrcaa.com.